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After halting skid, Redmond sticks with same lineup

5/19/13: Marcell Ozuna powers a double off the left-center field fence, plating a pair to shatter a scoreless tie in the sixth inning

By Joe Frisaro and Joe Morgan
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MLB.com |

MIAMI -- After using 43 lineups in the first 44 games, Marlins manager Mike Redmond decided to try some continuity.

After defeating the D-backs and left-hander Wade Miley, 2-1, on Sunday to snap a season-long seven-game losing streak, Redmond batted the same first eight against Phillies southpaw Cole Hamels on Monday.

"We won yesterday, but [today's starter] was another left-hander, so we just think we match up better the way we had it yesterday," Redmond said. "Obviously, if you win a game, you want to run that same lineup out there, see if we can do it again. It would probably be different if there was a right-hander out there pitching."

Monday's starting lineup was predominantly right-handed, featuring only two left-handed batters in second baseman Derek Dietrich at No. 3 and left fielder Chris Coghlan hitting sixth.

Entering the series opener, Dietrich was batting .200 in 10 at-bats against left-handers, while Coghlan boasted a .364 clip in 11 at-bats.

A notable change was the leadoff spot, where rookie shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria took over for veteran outfielder Juan Pierre. Hechavarria went 1-for-4 and scored a run on Sunday.

Pierre is hitting .152 against southpaws this year. Hechavarria has performed slightly better at .172.

Nick Green took over for Greg Dobbs at first base and batted seventh, while Jeff Mathis subbed for Rob Brantly behind the plate and hit in the No. 8 spot. Mathis faced Miley twice, doubling in his first at-bat. Green is hitless against left-handers.

Miami is batting .219 against left-handers this season with a .285 on-base percentage. Cleanup hitter Marcell Ozuna, who plated the game-winning runs with a two-run double against Miley, has hit .429 in 21 at-bats against southpaws this season.

Justin Ruggiano, batting fifth, has homered four times against left-handers. Miguel Olivo has three homers against southpaws and provides a right-handed bat off the bench.

Redmond will likely use a different lineup Tuesday. The Phillies plan to start right-hander Tyler Cloyd.